Know the symptoms of heart attack
The key to helping heart attack victims is recognizing the symptoms, and they are not all the same with each individual. These are the major warning symptoms of heart attack:
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Pain or discomfort in the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats
Don't wait - seek help immediately
The longer a victim waits, the more damage will occur to the heart, and this will greatly affect their chance of both survival and/or recovery. If you, or someone you know, is having any of these symptoms, don't hesitate or brush it off as nothing. Your life could depend on it. Here are more facts about heart attack.
- Of the 735,000 Americans per year who have heart attacks, 525,000 of them are experiencing a heart attack for the first time.
- A heart attack is caused by the heart muscle not getting enough blood flow, so the longer a victim waits to get help, the more damage to the heart muscle.
- Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms.
- Women who have heart attacks are more likely to have symptoms such as chest pain that is sharp or burning, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen or back.
What to do first
- Call 9-1-1 immediately
- Loosen clothing and make them as comfortable as possible
- Place them in a half sitting position and keep them calm
- If they are conscious, have them chew one aspirin slowly
- Stay with them until help arrives
For more information, visit www.rd.com/health/conditions/what-to-do-heart-attack/
